Six-year-old petitions NGT against poultry farm near school

A six-year-old kindergarten student in Uttar Pradesh has petitioned the National Green Tribunal (NGT) against a poultry farm near his school, seeking its closure on the grounds that foul smell from the unit is causing breathing problems among children in the area.

Arjun Malik, from Shaamli, in his petition against Highteck Layer Farm and the state of Uttar Pradesh, stated that despite several notices by the state Pollution Control Board and protests by the locals, the poultry farm had continued operation.

The petitioner said that of the 3,000 school-going children in the area, a majority are suffering from breathing problems and nausea due to the strong offensive smell.

The tribunal has admitted the petition and issued notices to all the respondents, seeking a reply within a week's time.

The petitioner has also sought to know if the Uttar Pradesh Pollution Control Board (UPPCB) is competent to issue a no objection certificate (NOC) under the Air Act to a poultry farm which is causing air pollution and violating the children's right to breathe pure air.

Due to the lack of housekeeping facility and due to the fact that respondent No. 07 (Highteck Layer Farm) has not installed any treatment plant in its poultry farm, the waste from the farm floats outside resulting in emission of strong offensive smell.

The petition also states that due to poor monitoring and regulation by the UPPCB, and the lack of hygiene at the farm, the area has come to be infested with filth flies, posing health hazards for the local inhabitants.

The six-year-old's father is acting as his legal representative in this case, which is listed for hearing on August 16.

(With inputs from IANS)

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